Federal grand jury returns multiple ETX indictments

Tyler, TX (KETK) — A federal grand jury returned multiple indictments today charging individuals with separate federal crimes in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

James Ray Gilliland, 40, of Kilgore, Texas, was indicted on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Dec. 28, 2012, Gilliland knowingly received images containing child pornography. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Marchessault.

Travis Van Ayers, 51, of Tyler, was indicted on charges of failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Marchessault.

Carlos Gerardo Barroso Lopez, 35, was indicted for being a criminal alien present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison to be followed by deportation. This case is being investigated by the HSI-ICE and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen Hurst.

Roberto Rodriguez-Astorga, 35, was indicted for being a criminal alien present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison followed by deportation. This case is being investigated by the HSI-ICE and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen Hurst.

A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.